Poppies at the Beer Junction 5/24 5pm-8pm.

Meet Henry from Boulevard Brewing! We’ll be tapping some fun kegs and also trying out some of their great year-round beers out of bottles. $4 tasting fee, half of which goes to the VFW.

Update: The tasting went great. I want to thank all of those who attended. We raised $180 dollars to help Veterans in need. A Special thank goes out to the Beer Junction and Boulevard Brewing, without these two great companyies this would not have been a success. I snapped a few photos during the tasting.

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USO Happy Hour for Veterans Sponsored by Regency Newcastle and The Golf Club at Newcastle

Monday, May 21, 2012  4:00pm until 6:00pm

Regency Newcastle Senior Living Center and The Golf Club at Newcastle sponsor a “Happy Hour” for Veterans. All are welcome, but we buy a couple of drinks for the Vets! If you are a Vet, you are welcome, let us know what branch and vehicle, boat, ship, plane, copter or IKEA desk you used during your service! If you support and appreciate our veterans you are welcome to come and thank one! Vets from WW2 to Afghanistan will be in attendance.

VA Struggles To Provide Vets With Mental Health Care

Over the past five years, the Department of Veterans Affairs says, the number of former service members seeking mental health services has climbed by a third. In response, the agency has boosted funding and tightened standards.

Now, any vet asking for help is supposed to be evaluated within 24 hours and start treatment within two weeks. The VA has claimed that happens in the vast majority of cases, but a new investigation by the agency’s inspector general says the VA statistics are skewed to make wait times appear shorter.

Read more or listen to the story at NPR.

Flag at Half Staff reminder

Governor Chris Gregoire has directed flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff Friday, April 20, 2012, in memory of U. S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Ramon T. Kaipat, 22, of Tacoma, who died April 11 while conducting combat operations in Afghanistan.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business Friday.

Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

A funeral service will be on Saturday, April 21 at 1:00 pm. The location is pending.

Veterans Crisis Line

The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text. Veterans and their loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1,chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. More about the Veterans Crisis Line

No One Does More For Veterans